The 2011 legislative session started with a bang Tuesday morning -- shouts from protesters and proponents of the governor alike, honking horns, music and speeches over loudspeakers all filling the air around the Capitol.
An estimated 700 tea party activists packed the wide walkway and sidewalks and spilled over onto the lawn at the Old Capitol. On the opposite side of Monroe Street, and with opposing views, a crowd about half that size gathered in front of the Leon County Courthouse.
On the courthouse side, "Awake the State" protesters argued against Gov. Rick Scott's bold agenda.
"We will stand in unity and solidarity today facing opposition from Governor Scott and his continual disdain toward the public workers," said Michael Camelo, a Fort Myers firefighter at the rally.
Another chimed in with a plea to recall Scott, while a City University of New York attendee called the governor a "schmuck."
The "Awake the State" protest, organized by Progress Florida with support from public-employee unions and other liberal organizations, lashed out against Scott's call to cut spending, reduce taxes, and bring jobs to the state at the expense of some public-employee jobs and benefits.
But across the street, at the "Save Our State" rally, tea party activists were broadcasting a much different view.
Many of them, like Michael Capria of Tampa, carried a list of agenda items important to the Florida Alliance, a grass-roots coalition of more than 130 tea party groups from all over the state. The list contained more than three dozen bills and other policies they support, including the Health Care Freedom Act, public employee reform and the defeat of high-speed rail.
"We're here to support the governor," said Capria. "We're here to roll back government regulations, to keep taxes low."
Carolyn Hunter-Haast, a Gainesville resident, echoed those sentiments.
"This government has run away with our nation. They're spending the taxpayers' money as if there is no end to it," she said.
"... Rick Scott is standing up to the federal government. Rick Scott is denying Obama's money for the rail system. Rick Scott is taking a stand and I want him to know that we appreciate it.
"We can't afford (lofty government worker pensions) any longer. Why can't they pay their fair share?"
A little more than an hour into the rally, activists erupted into cheers and applause when the governor, with Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, appeared on the steps of the Old Capitol and approached the microphone.
"We're here because we need jobs in this state," said Scott. "If we pass our jobs budget, jobs are going to come back. More money will be in your pockets. You can start your companies. The government can't start your companies."
After the governor, Senate President Mike Haridopolos took the microphone while the crowd chanted "E-Verify!"
"I'm hearing this word, 'E-verify,'" Haridopolos said. "I'm here to verify that it will be a part of our Senate bill."
Tea Party in Action, one of the members of the Florida Alliance, is presenting elected officials with a pledge to sign. They want a promise from lawmakers that they will balance the budget without tax increases and without harming Florida businesses.
"That's why we're here. We're here to hold their feet to the fire," said Tea Party in Action founder Marianne Moran.
The Florida Alliance has set a March 15 deadline for legislators to sign the pledge, and if they don't sign it, "Beware the ides of March," said Moran.
Despite the proximity to each other, and perhaps due in part to the staggered times of each event, the two groups avoided any major clashes or individual conflicts with each other.
Reach Lane Wright at lane@sunshinestatenews.com, or at (561) 247-1063.
